US7654102B2 - Air treatment system for refrigerated appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerated appliance is disclosed. The refrigerated appliance comprises an enclosure defining a cooled space and having an outer wall and an inner wall spaced apart from the outer wall to define an air duct. The refrigerated appliance further includes an evaporator disposed at least partially in the air duct and configured to cool air in the air duct, and the evaporator fan is configured to move air from the air duct into the cooled space, and an air treatment system at least partially located in the air duct. A portion of the air passing through the air duct passes through the air treatment system. The air treatment system comprises a filter cartridge or module, a base with a receptacle configured to receive the filter cartridge, and a mounting or coupling mechanism configured to move the filter cartridge into and out of engagement with the base. The mechanism has a release handle such that both the release handle and the cartridge are accessible from the cooled compartment.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to an air treatment system for a refrigerated appliance. More specifically, the present invention relates to an air treatment system for a refrigerator having a removable/replaceable/rechargeable cartridge accessible from a refrigerator compartment.

Refrigerated appliances having one or more refrigerator compartments and/or freezer compartments are generally known. It is generally known to provide an air treatment systems for such appliance. Known air treatment systems typically include a purification/filtration element and a fan to force air through the purification/filtration element. Also, known systems are typically are mounted on a wall inside the food compartment of the refrigerator. However, such known air treatment systems have several disadvantages including waste of storage space, limited performance due to inadequate access to air and air flow (especially when the food storage space is relatively full), and having to pass a power cord through the refrigerator wall to power the fan. It is also known to provide a purification/filtration element that uses a combination of titanium dioxide, ultraviolet light, and ozone. However, use of ozone in such a combination tends to degrade or be harmful with the material around it and to food in the storage compartment.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide an integrated air treatment system for a refrigerator. It would also be advantageous to provide an air treatment system that is integrated into the airflow upstream or downstream of the evaporator. It would further be advantageous to provide an air treatment system that only treats (e.g., purifies, filters, etc.) a portion of the air passing from the evaporator to the evaporator fan. It would further be advantageous to provide an air treatment system with a cartridge that is accessible from the food storage compartment to be removed, replaced, recharged, repaired, maintained, or the like. It would further be advantageous to provide an air treatment system with purification/filtering element that does not use ozone. It would be desirable to provide for an air treatment system having one or more of these or other advantageous features. To provide an inexpensive, reliable, and widely adaptable air treatment system that avoids the above-referenced and other problems would represent a significant advance in the art.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to an appliance comprising an enclosure defining a cooled space; an air duct in communication with the enclosure; an evaporator configured to cool air in the air duct; a fan configured to move air between the air duct and the cooled space; and an air treatment system at least partially located in the air duct. A portion of the air passing through the air duct passes through the air treatment system and a remainder of the air passes through the air duct without passing through the air treatment system.

The present invention further relates to a refrigerated appliance comprising an enclosure defining a cooled space; an air duct in communication with the enclosure; an evaporator configured to cool air in the air duct; an evaporator fan configured to move air from the air duct into the cooled space; and an air treatment system at least partially located in the air duct and accessible from the cooled space through an access panel.

The present invention further relates to a refrigerated appliance comprising an enclosure defining a cooled space, an air duct in communication with the enclosure, a fan configured to move air from the air duct into the cooled space, and an air treatment system at least partially located in the air duct and having a cartridge configured to treat air utilizing ultraviolet light in combination with a titanium dioxide coated catalyst and without the use of ozone.

The present invention further relates to various features and combinations of features shown and described in the disclosed embodiments. Other ways in which the objects and features of the disclosed embodiments are accomplished will be described in the following specification or will become apparent to those skilled in the art after they have read this specification. Such other ways are deemed to fall within the scope of the disclosed embodiments if they fall within the scope of the claims which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator including an air purification system according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed perspective view of the air purification system inFIG. 1 in an open position according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a portion of the refrigerator inFIG. 1 with a portion of the inner wall hidden showing the airflow through the air duct between the evaporator and the evaporator fan according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the air purification system inFIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the filter cartridge inFIG. 4 according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are side elevation views of the air purification system inFIG. 1 in an first or closed position and a second or open position.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-section views of the air purification system inFIG. 1 in an first or closed position and a second or open position.

Before explaining a number preferred, exemplary, and alternative embodiments of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or being practiced or carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an appliance as arefrigerator10 according to a preferred embodiment.Refrigerator10 includes anenclosure12, anevaporator22, anevaporator fan24, and anair treatment system30.Enclosure12 forms the main body ofrefrigerator10 and includes an insulatedouter wall14 and an inner wall16 (e.g., cold plate, etc.).Enclosure12 may be a refrigerator component (e.g., for fresh foods) or a freezer compartment (e.g., for frozen foods).Outer wall14 andinner wall16 are at least partially separated by an air duct18 (e.g., passage, space, volume, passageway, etc.).Inner wall16 defines a cooled area orcompartment20 that is configured to receive items to be kept cooler than the outside environment. Cooledarea20 is cooled by a refrigeration system that includes at least a compressor, anevaporator22, and a first orevaporator fan24. According to an exemplary embodiment,evaporator22 is disposed at least partially inair duct18 and generally towards the bottom ofenclosure12.Evaporator fan24 is disposed towards the top ofenclosure12 and draws air fromevaporator22, upwards throughair duct18 and into cooledcompartment20.

According to an exemplary embodiment,air treatment system30 is disposed betweenevaporator22 andevaporator fan24 and at least partially withinair duct18.Air treatment system30 is configured treat (e.g., purify, filter scrub, freshen, etc.) air inside refrigerator by oxidizing odor, bacteria, ethylene, volatile organic compounds (VOC's) or other undesirable particles without the use of ozone. According to a preferred embodiment,air treatment system30 includes a removable filter cartridge ormodule32 that is received by abase34 with the aid of amounting mechanism36. Asecond fan35 is provided to facilitate directing airflow intoair treatment system30. Anaccess panel38 is provided oninner wall16 to allow access toair treatment system30 from cooledcompartment20. Amounting panel39 is coupled toouter wall14 and provides a mounting surface forbase34 and/or other components ofair treatment system30. Whileair treatment system30 is shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 as being disposed towards one side ofenclosure12 and towards the top ofenclosure12 it should be understood thatair treatment system30 may be provided in a wide variety of locations betweenevaporator22 andevaporator fan24. A majority ofair treatment system30 is disposed withinair duct18 so that it does not occupy substantial space within cooledcompartment20 or extend a substantial amount outsideouter wall14.Air treatment system30 is shown as being located downstream of evaporator22 (e.g., betweenevaporator22 and fan24). Alternatively, the air treatment system may be in any of a variety of locations in the airflow (e.g., upstream) and the evaporator fan may be located upstream of the evaporator (e.g., to push or blow air across the evaporator).

According to an exemplary embodiment,filter cartridge32 is a removable member that is configured to filter or treat air passing through it.Filter cartridge32 includes anouter housing40 that forms a passage that is generally aligned with the air flow inair duct18. According to an exemplary embodiment,housing40 includes afront80, a back,82, abottom84, and atop86.Front80 andback82 are generally solid members whilebottom84 andtop86 includes a plurality of slots or openings that allow air to pass throughhousing40. A catalyst and alamp44 are disposed within housing. According to an exemplary embodiment, the catalyst (not shown) is a plurality of hollow members (e.g., pellets, pieces, tubes, etc.) that are at least partially coated with titanium dioxide (T_iO₂). The hollow members are large enough to be retained within housing bybottom84 and top86 panels.

Lamp44 is a light source that emits ultraviolet light (e.g., UV a, UV b, UV c, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment,lamp44 uses a 5 Watt (W) bulb (e.g., compact fluorescent). Alternatively, the bulb may be of any variety of sizes, power outputs or the like based on the desired performance of the environment.Lamp44 cooperates with the catalyst to purify air passing through filter cartridge.Lamp44 is coupled to anelectrical contact46 that is provided on the bottom offilter cartridge32.Electrical contact46 is configured to interface with a correspondingelectrical interface52 onbase34 to provide power tolamp44. Ultraviolet light may weaken or otherwise damage polymer materials.Housing40 is configured to substantially encloselamp44 so that most of the ultraviolet light emitted bylamp44 does not escapehousing40.Access panel38 and/orcoupling mechanism36 are also configured (e.g., shaped, positioned, orientated, etc.) to inhibit or prevent ultraviolet light from exiting the air treatment system.Filter cartridge32 is removable and is able to be periodically replaced. According to various exemplary embodiments, spent filter cartridges may be disposed, recycled, or recharged. According to a preferred embodiment,lamp44 does not provide a visible light outside ofcartridge32.

Filter cartridge32 is coupled tobase34.Base34 includes a receptacle orsocket50 that is configured to receive a portion offilter cartridge32 and anelectrical contact52 withinreceptacle50 that interfaces withelectrical contact46 to provide electrical power tolamp44.Base34 further forms anair duct54 that allows air fromair duct18 to pass throughbase34 and intofilter cartridge32. According to an exemplary embodiment,filter cartridge32 is coupled tobase34 when it is fully seated withinbase34. Asecond fan35 is provided belowbase34 to further direct air fromair duct18 intoair treatment system30. As shown inFIG. 3,air treatment system30 only treats a portion of the air passing throughair duct18. Since air is being fairly continually circulated throughair duct18, all or substantially all of the air inrefrigerator10 will pass throughair treatment system30 over time.

Second fan35 andbase34 are coupled to an external power source to provide electrical power tosecond fan35,lamp44, and any other components that may be included and draw electrical power (e.g., sensors, lights, etc.). According to one exemplary embodiment,electrical contacts46 and52 transfer electrical power between therefrigerator10 andfilter cartridge32. According to other exemplary embodiments, the same or additional electrical contacts may transmit data betweenfilter cartridge32 and refrigerator10 (e.g., data related to the life and/or performance of the filter cartridge).

A mounting orcoupling mechanism36 is provided to facilitate the coupling offilter cartridge32 tobase34.Coupling mechanism36 is coupled tobase34 at pivot points60 and includes a lever62 (e.g., release handle, lever, user interface, grip, etc.) with cam surfaces64.Coupling mechanism36 is moveable (e.g., pivot, rotate, swivel, swing, etc.) between a first or engaged position in which filtercartridge32 is coupled tobase34 and a second or disengaged position in which filtercartridge32 is released frombase34. A user may manipulatecoupling mechanism36 from cooledcompartment20 through an opening ininner wall16 usinglever62 provided on a distal end ofcoupling mechanism36 generally opposite of pivot points60. Cam surfaces64 are provided oncoupling mechanism36 and interface with projections48 (e.g., protrusions, pegs, knobs, etc.) to engage and disengagefilter cartridge32 andbase34.

When couplingmechanism36 is in a disengaged position (as shown inFIGS. 6B and 7B),filter cartridge32 may be inserted intobase34. In this position,filter cartridge32 is not coupled tobase34 andprojections48 sit infirst seat66. Ascoupling mechanism36 is moved from an open position to a closed position,projections48 ride along cam surfaces64 until they are received insecond seats68.Filter cartridge32 is pushed into a “snap-fit” withbase34 whencoupling mechanism36 is in a closed position andprojections48 are engaged with second seats68 (as shown inFIGS. 6A and 7A).Coupling mechanism36 ensures that filter cartridge is properly aligned withbase34 and fully seated inbase34 so thatelectrical contacts46 and52 are engaged. Iffilter cartridge32 is not coupled properly tobase34,coupling mechanism36 will remain in a position intermediate between the open position and closed position. This will preventaccess panel38 from closing and provide a visual indication that filtercartridge32 is not properly installed.

To removefilter cartridge32, a use graspslever62 and pullscoupling mechanism36 to an open position.Projections48 engagecam surfaces64 and disengagefilter cartridge32 frombase34. When couplingmechanism36 is in a disengaged position it lifts and presents filter cartridge32 (e.g., to a user desiring to remove, check, replace, etc. filter cartridge32).

Access panel38 (e.g., door, hatch, etc.) is provided on inner surface ofinner wall16.Access panel38 is pivotably coupled toinner wall16 and is moveable between a first or open position in whichair treatment system30 is accessible from cooled compartment and a second or closed position in whichair treatment system30 is generally concealed from view.Access panel38 includes an interface70 (e.g., aperture, opening, detent, etc.) that facilitates the opening ofaccess panel38 by a user. According to an exemplary embodiment,access panel38 pivots on hinges that are disposed along the upper edge ofaccess panel38. According to other exemplary embodiments, access panel may pivot along one of the sides or along the bottom edge.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” shall mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature. Such joining may also relate to mechanical, fluid, or electrical relationship between the two components.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the refrigerator as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. For example, air treatment is intended to broadly relate to a variety of conditioning of air within an appliance, including filtering, purifying, scrubbing, freshening, and the like. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and/or omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Claims (23)

1. An appliance comprising:

an enclosure defining a cooled space;

an air duct in communication with the enclosure;

an evaporator configured to cool air in the air duct;

a fan configured to move air between the air duct and the cooled space; and

an air treatment system at least partially located in the air duct, wherein only a portion of the air passing through the air duct passes through the air treatment system and a remainder of the air passes through the air duct without passing through the air treatment system, the air treatment system comprising:

a filter cartridge;

a base having a receptacle configured to receive the filter cartridge;

a coupling mechanism configured to move the filter cartridge into and out of engagement with the base, the mechanism having a release handle accessible from the cooled space.

2. The appliance ofclaim 1 further comprising a panel movable between a closed position and an open position wherein the coupling mechanism and the cartridge are accessible from the refrigerator compartment.

3. The appliance ofclaim 1 wherein the cartridge comprises an ultraviolet lamp configured to irradiate ultraviolet light to the air passing through the air treatment system.

4. The appliance ofclaim 1 wherein the air treatment system comprises a fan configured to assist air moving through the air treatment system.

5. The appliance ofclaim 4 wherein the air treatment system fan draws air from the space into the air treatment system.

6. The appliance ofclaim 1 wherein the cartridge treats air without use of ozone.

7. The appliance ofclaim 1 wherein the filter cartridge includes an electrical contact that engages an electrical contact on the base for transmission of power and/or data between the cartridge and the refrigerator.

8. The appliance ofclaim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises an outer wall and an inner wall spaced apart from the outer wall to define the air duct.

9. The appliance ofclaim 1 wherein the enclosure is a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment.

10. A refrigerated appliance comprising:

an enclosure defining a cooled space;

an air duct in communication with the enclosure;

an evaporator configured to cool air in the air duct;

an evaporator fan configured to move air from the air duct into the cooled space; and

an air treatment system at least partially located in the air duct and accessible from the cooled space through an access panel;

wherein the air treatment system is located between the evaporator and the fan.

11. The refrigerated appliance ofclaim 10 wherein the air treatment system comprises;

a filter cartridge;

a base having a receptacle configured to receive the filter cartridge;

a coupling mechanism configured to move the filter cartridge into and out of engagement with the base, the mechanism having a release handle accessible from the cooled compartment.

12. The refrigerated appliance ofclaim 11 wherein the cartridge provides a secondary air duct for a portion of the air moving from the air duct towards the cooled space.

13. The refrigerated appliance ofclaim 11 wherein the coupling mechanism articulates the cartridge to ensure proper engagement and a proper seal between the cartridge and the receptacle.

14. The refrigerated appliance ofclaim 13 wherein the coupling mechanism includes a lever movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

15. The refrigerated appliance ofclaim 14 wherein the lever pivots between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

16. The refrigerated appliance ofclaim 15 wherein the lever engages the cartridge when rotated from the disengaged position to the engaged position.

17. The refrigerated appliance ofclaim 16 wherein the lever disengages the cartridge when moved from the first position to the second position.

18. The refrigerated appliance ofclaim 14 wherein the lever comprises a cam surface with a first seat and a second seat, and the cartridge includes a projection that engages the first seat when the lever is in a first position and engages the second seat when the lever is in the second position.

19. The refrigerated appliance ofclaim 18 wherein the cartridge is moved to a position more accessible to a user from the cooled compartment when the lever is moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

20. The refrigerated appliance ofclaim 14 wherein the cartridge is lifted to an upper position that is more accessible to a user from the cooled compartment when the lever is moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position, and is lowered to a lower position when the lever is moved from the disengaged position to the engaged position.

21. The refrigerated appliance ofclaim 11 wherein the cartridge includes a titanium dioxide catalyst.

22. The refrigerated appliance ofclaim 12 wherein the cartridge the cartridge is configured to treat air without the use of ozone.

23. The refrigerated appliance ofclaim 22 wherein the filter cartridge is at least one of the disposable, receivable, recyclable, rechargeable, or replaceable.

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